14 DAY TRIAL // Just like Sony, Canon also felt the "urge" the refresh its entire lineup of consumer oriented camcorders with new high definition and standard definition models.
As usual, since standard definition is not so "hip" anymore, we'll start off with the high definition models as Canon has a brand new lineup of HD units.
The new Vixia cams, HF10 Dual Flash Memory, HF100 Flash Memory, VIXIA HV30 HD, feature a proprietary CMOS sensor able to deliver 1920 x 1080 full HD resolutions and the Digic DV II processor. Moreover, all models include the SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, which corrects a wide range of camcorder vibration for virtually shake-free images.
The Vixia HF10 Dual Flash Memory comes equipped with 16GB of internal Flash memory that can store up to 6 hours of HD content and also features a SDHC memory slot. Apart from this, the HF 10 and HF 100 seem to share the same features: Genuine Canon 12x HD Video Lens, a robust Canon 3.3 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor, and Full HD Lens-to-Screen (1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution to capture, record and output) and a 2.7" Widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD.
As the press release informs, "the models use an Intelligent Lithium-ion Battery, which indicate the remaining battery time down to the minute. Furthermore, the VIXIA HF10 Dual Flash Memory and HF100 Flash Memory camcorders offer a newly designed Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe, providing cable-free connectivity to an optional Canon microphone or video light. A microphone terminal with manual level control delivers additional audio flexibility and a fully functional 3.1 Megapixel digital camera is built right in."
In terms of recording modes, Canon gives amateur videographers a 24p Cinema Mode to mimic the looks of film, but also Canon's 30p Progressive Mode, which is ideal for fast action events.
Canon has also announced one high definition model that records on clasic miniDV tapes. Successor of the HV20, the VIXIA HV30 HD comes equipped with a Genuine Canon 10X HD Video Lens, Canon 2.96 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor, DIGIC DV II Image Processor, a 30p Progressive Mode (and 24p Cinema Mode), and a 2.7" Widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD. In addition, the VIXIA HV30 camcorder is compatible with Canon's high capacity BP-2L24H Lithium-ion battery.
There's also a new DVD burner, the DW-100 model, which allows burning all, part or previously recorded video from a compatible Canon camcorder to a DVD. In addition to burning Standard Definition DVDs, the DW-100 can also burn AVCHD DVDs which can be played in compatible Blu-Ray players. The DW-100 DVD Burner has only three buttons: power, record and eject, making operation fast and easy. The DW-100 can also act as a player itself by connecting to an HDTV through the Canon VIXIA HF10, VIXIA HF100 or VIXIA HG10 camcorders.
Available in late April, the VIXIA HF10 Dual Flash Memory and VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory camcorders will have an estimated retail price of $1,099 and $899, respectively. The Canon VIXIA HV30 is scheduled to be available in late February for the estimated retail price of $999. The Canon DW-100 DVD Burner is scheduled to be available in late April for the estimated retail price of $269.
If you're not ready for high definition, you can always choose from the nine new standard definition models.
The new Canon camcorder lineup includes: the FS11 Dual Flash Memory camcorder, FS10 Dual Flash Memory camcorder, FS100 Flash Memory camcorder, ZR950 MiniDV camcorder, ZR930 MiniDV camcorder, ZR900 MiniDV camcorder, DC330 DVD camcorder, DC320 DVD camcorder and the DC310 DVD camcorder.
The FS11 Dual Flash Memory camcorder offers a 16GB internal Flash drive, for up to 10 hours of video recording, but also adds a SDHC memory card slot for even more storage space. The FS10 Dual Flash Memory camcorder offers an 8GB internal Flash drive, for up to five hours of recording capacity, and also features an SDHC card slot. The FS100 Flash Memory camcorder only has an SDHC card slot only and there's no internal memory. All three camcorders share Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom along with a 1.07 Megapixel CCD Image Sensor, and Canon's DIGIC DV II Image Processor. An Intelligent Lithium-ion Battery displays the remaining recording time to the minute, and a microphone terminal provides added audio flexibility.
The Canon FS11 Dual Flash Memory, FS10 Dual Flash Memory and FS100 Flash Memory camcorders are scheduled to be available in April, at the estimated retail prices of $599, $499 and $399, respectively.
The DC330, DC320 and DC310 DVD camcorders rely on the already old DVD to record the video material. The DC310 DVD camcorder features Genuine Canon 41x Advanced Zoom, a 680,000 Pixel CCD Image Sensor, and a large 2.7" Widescreen LCD Screen. The DC320 DVD camcorder adds the advantage of a Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom, along with a 1.07 Megapixel CCD Image Sensor. The DC330 DVD throws in a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Terminal and a Multi-Angle Remote Control. According to Canon, unlike conventional camcorders, which have an infrared sensor located on the front, the DC330 DVD camcorder's remote sensor is built into the LCD screen. All three camcorders feature an SDHC memory card slot for storing photos and an LCD Video Light to provide extra illumination in low light conditions.
The Canon DC330, DC320 and DC310 DVD camcorders are scheduled to be available in March, at estimated retail prices of $379, $369 and $349, respectively.
The new ZR series camcorders use MiniDV cassettes to record their standard definition content. The ZR900 MiniDV camcorder offers a Genuine Canon 41x Advanced Zoom and 680,000 Pixel CCD Image Sensor, along with a microphone terminal. The ZR930 MiniDV camcorder adds the power of a Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom, 1.07 Megapixel CCD, Multi-Angle Remote Control and also features a microphone terminal. The ZR950 MiniDV camcorder provides the added flexibility of an SDHC memory card slot for capturing photos, and a USB 2.0 terminal, which allows connectivity to PictBridge-enabled printers.
The Canon ZR900, ZR930 and ZR950 MiniDV camcorders are scheduled to be available in late January, at the estimated retail prices of $249, $269 and $279, respectively.
